Core 2 Duo P7570 vs Core i3-3250

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core 2 Duo P7570 vs Core i3-3250 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core 2 Duo P7570 vs Core i3-3250: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core 2 Duo P7570

2009

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 3W instead of 55W, a 52W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-3250 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Core i3-3250

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,460 vs 2,470).
❌Launch MSRP is still $138 MSRP, while Core 2 Duo P7570 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1733.3% higher power demand at 55W vs 3W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-3250 better than Core 2 Duo P7570?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-3250 is ahead with a 3.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo P7570 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo P7570 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-3250 is the better buy right now. Core i3-3250 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $138 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core 2 Duo P7570 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.4% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (17.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-3250 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core 2 Duo P7570 vs Core i3-3250 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core 2 Duo P7570

The Core 2 Duo P7570 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 2.26 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,470 points. Launch price was $249.

Core i3-3250

The Core i3-3250 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,460 points. Launch price was $138.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo P7570 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-3250's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.26 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P7570 versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i3-3250 — a 43.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-3250 (base: 2.26 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core 2 Duo P7570 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-3250 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo P7570 scores 2,470 against the Core i3-3250's 2,460 — a 0.4% lead for the Core 2 Duo P7570. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P7570 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3250.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P7570	Core i3-3250
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.26 GHz	3.5 GHz+55%
Base Clock	2.26 GHz	3.5 GHz+55%
L3 Cache	3 MB L2 Cache	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	3 MB+1100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,470	2,460

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo P7570 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i3-3250 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.